The Phoenix Suns have some hope for the future after drafting Alex Len and Archie Goodwin this past summer and for any success this season, center Marcin Gortat needs to be healthy, which is why the center is heading back to the United States from Poland to get his foot full checked out.
Gortat is playing with the Polish national team for EuroBasket 2013 and according to Pro Basketball Talk, he has been allowed to leave for three weeks to get his foot checked out in the States, although it says his participation in the tournament is "not under question." The team is likely relieved to hear that Gortat is progressing well and the center mentioned that he wants to make sure the foot is going to be fully healthy before heading into the season.
Gortat dealt with the injury in the spring and had to sit out the end of the regular season for the Suns and the team wants to make sure that he will be ready to start the year, as he is an integral player to the lineup with Len also dealing with foot issues. The Suns also traded away Luis Scola to the Indiana Pacers, leaving Gortat as the most experienced player in the frontcourt. The 29-year-old was one of the most consistent players at his position last season and averaged 11.5 points and 8.5 rebounds and new coach Jeff Hornacek will be relying on him this season without Scola and after Len had surgery on both ankles this past year.
Gortat has been mentioned in trade rumors this past offseason, but after Scola was dealt, general manager Ryan McDonagh may want to hold onto the center until Len is fully healthy. Last year the Suns ranked 21st in points per game with 95 per contest and allowed over 101 points per game and the franchise is hoping the addition of Len can help upgrade the defense. Goodwin showed off his skills during the summer league and he appears to have potential as just an 18-year-old out of Kentucky.
The Suns went 25-57 last season and with Goran Dragic as the leading scorer with under 15 points per game, the franchise is expecting big improvements after acquiring Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler in a three way trade with the Clippers. Both players are expected to be primary starters and after trading Scola, Miles Plumlee and Gerald Green may play roles as well.
